Poultry News

Mexico Predicted to Grow Broiler Production

10 September 2015

MEXICO - After implementing strong biosecurity measures, Mexico rebounded from avian influenza outbreaks with growing broiler production, according to a new report from the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service.

Broiler meat production for 2016 continues to grow at two per cent annually, the report said. It predicted production in 2016 at 3.16 million metric tons (MMT).

Appropriate measures implemented to cope with the 2012 and 2013 avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in Mexico were sufficient, allowing the poultry sector to rebound to record production levels. However, these measures have added to production costs.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States and the potential appearance of new flu virus strains in Mexico continues to be a concern for the sector.

More recently, a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) H5N2 outbreak in the northern state of Sinaloa compelled the Mexican zoo-sanitary authorities to report it to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), despite it not being required. Thus, authorities have proceeded to quarantine egg layer farms and to cull around 430,000 birds.

Most of Mexico's chicken and turkey imports originate from the US, while Chile and Brazil continue gaining market share in the poultry trade scenario. The turkey meat production forecast for 2016 is flat, but the consumption of value-added products is on the upswing.

Imports of mechanically separated/deboned turkey meat (MSM) either chilled or frozen, for prepared deli meats and related products, are expected to continue growing.

Due to the HPAI outbreak in the United States, Mexican authorities have implemented restrictions on raw poultry, MSM shipments, and live birds for breeding purposes from quarantined US states.

Mexico will look to source the first two products from other countries, especially from Chile, as it is not currently able to be fully self-sufficient in poultry products.

Mexico reports the domestic production of eggs is fully restored to normal levels. However, the threat from HPAI occurring in the United States has compelled the sector to implement permanent security and biosecurity measures and to look for alternatives to reduce the risk of contamination.

The import forecast for table eggs is lowered because of the above mentioned factors. Mexican egg and egg product exports are only permitted if they are breaking eggs, pathogen-free, or have received a thermal process.

Eggs for industrial purposes are on the rise and should continue on the same trajectory in 2016. Mexico is the sixth largest egg producing country and has the largest per capita consumption in the world.